A Vampire's Evolution

The next morning, I woke up to loud sounds and a commotion taking place right outside my room.

"What's happening?" I said as I got out of bed, rubbing my eyes.

I quickly put on my jacket and went outside to see what was going on.

As soon as I opened the door, a beam flew past me.

"You damn low-born," a boy said, lowering his hand.

It was clearly him who had released the spell that had flown past me, as I could still feel the magion dissipating from his fingers.

"What did you just call me?" the other boy yelled, summoning his Bloodless Weapon.

It was a spear, and I could sense him channeling magion to its tip.

He was preparing a spell, and judging by the magion, it was a little stronger than a low-level spell.

"Did you really think I was gonna let you finish?" the boy yelled as he rushed toward the other boy preparing his spell.

Suddenly, a person appeared between them, blocking both of their attempted attacks.

How did he appear? I couldn't even sense any magion from him, yet he managed to block their attacks.

Every single being possesses magion as it is considered their life force, and we always subconsciously release a very small amount.

It's the same as breathing.

But... this person—wait, that crimson hair—a Pureblood.

A Pureblood, considered royalty among us Vampires. They are the direct descendants of our Founding Ancestor.

Is that why I can't sense his magion? Because he's a Pureblood?

"Okay, the fight's over. Calm down, you two," the Pureblood said before releasing his grip on both of them in a calm tone.

His eyes were closed the whole time. Was it some kind of training?

"Move! I'm killing that bastard if it's the last thing I do!" the boy with the spear yelled, his face filled with rage.

"Try me!" the other boy retorted.

"Enough!" the Pureblood said as he opened one of his eyes, his voice echoing through the hall.

As soon as he spoke, I felt an unimaginable amount of magion.

The pressure was like a force pushing me toward the ground. I could barely stand.

It was the same for the other two.

I could only grit my teeth, struggling to remain conscious.

Before I knew it, the other two had completely passed out.

"Why can't these fools just listen?" he said before staring at me.

As soon as I looked into his eye, I felt fear.

It wasn't the kind of fear you feel when you're in danger of losing your life.

It was much more than that—it felt as though you were already dead, yet even in death, you still feared dying.

I can't exactly explain it.

I immediately fell to my knees, my whole body screaming at me to run, but I couldn't.

I felt that if I made a move, I would die.

"Hey, are you alright? Did you get hurt anywhere?" he asked, walking toward me.

I couldn't reply—my whole body was paralyzed with fear.

"I should close my eye before we speak," he said, proceeding to shut his eye.

The fear immediately disappeared.

I could stand again, though my legs were still shaky. I managed to get up from the ground.

"Is that better now?" he asked.

"Y-Yes, Sir Progenitor," I stammered, not daring to look him in the face.

He burst into laughter.

"Me, a Progenitor? If I were one, you might as well be a grain of sand," he said, still recovering from his laughter.

"President!" a girl wearing glasses yelled as she ran toward us.

"Sir, where have you been? The principal is looking for you," she said, out of breath.

"Again?" the Pureblood replied.

"Yes, it has something to do with that incident," she said.

Hearing this, his expression turned serious.

"Fine, I'll go," he said with a sigh.

"Melody, send the two on the ground to the disciplinary committee," he instructed before disappearing into thin air, waving at me as he left.

"But how can I send them there when they're unconscious?" Melody muttered to herself.

She walked over to me.

"Are you okay?" Melody asked, staring at me.

"Y-Yes," I replied, still shaken and confused by what had just happened.

If that vampire wasn't a Progenitor, then what was he?

A Progenitor is the highest form of evolution a Vampire can achieve.

But... that Vampire said he isn't one. And yet, he's that powerful.

I have only ever experienced such overwhelming pressure when I first met Marcus—and this was even stronger.

How much power does a Progenitor possess?

"Hey, anyone there?" Melody asked, waving her hand in front of me.

"S-Sorry, I was just a little shocked," I replied, an awkward look on my face.

"It's understandable—you did experience Victor's magion, after all."

Is that why he completely hides his magion? Because it's too powerful?

"Can I ask you a favor?" Melody asked hesitantly.

"Can you help me move these two to the infirmary?" she asked politely.

"Okay, I was going past there anyway," I replied.

"Thank you very much. I still can't believe the President just knocked them out and left them here," she said, a hint of anger in her voice.

We carried the two to the infirmary.

On the way, I asked Melody about the Pureblood named Victor. She told me he was the student council president and one of the strongest students at Scarlet Academy.

After a while, we arrived at the infirmary and placed the two on separate beds. Melody turned to me.

"Thank you again for helping me, and I apologize for what the President did earlier," she said, bowing her head.

"N-No... it's fine. I didn't get hurt or anything," I replied.

"But why didn't you pass out?" she asked, staring intensely at me.

Yes, why didn't I pass out? The other two had collapsed from feeling only a small amount of magion, but I felt double what they did.

Were they just that weak?

"Well, anyway, if you need help, come to the student council office. I'll gladly repay this debt," she said with a smile before taking a running stance.

She dashed out of the infirmary.

"Wait! You dropped this..." I called out, but she was already gone.

I put the item she dropped into my pocket and made my way outside the infirmary and through the Academy gates.

I headed to Marcus's place. It wasn't far from the academy—it only took a few minutes to get there.

As usual, I first had to send my magion through the gate stone so they could recognize it was me.

The gates opened automatically.

I made my way inside the estate.

On the way to the main doors, I noticed the flowers Marcus loved.

He used to tell me his wife had planted them, and he always took care of them himself, watering them daily.

It truly was a beautiful garden with many different roses.

But why are some flowers dying?

He must have been really busy for that to happen.

But Marcus would never just let his deceased wife's flowers die.

Did something happen to him?

I went straight to the main doors, where a servant greeted me.

"Good morning, Young Master Silver," the servant said, bowing his head.

"I told you, you can stop calling me that, Ivan," I replied.

"No, I certainly cannot. You are Young Master Silver," he said calmly.

I had known Ivan since I first came to Marcus. He truly was a stubborn old man.

"Fine. Is Marcus here?" I asked as I entered the manor.

"Yes, but he's been sick lately and can't leave his room," Ivan replied.

When he said this, I noticed his eyes faintly glow purple before returning to normal.

I didn't pay it much attention, thinking it was just light reflecting in his eyes.

"Please go to the waiting room. I'll inform him you're here, Silver."

"Okay," I replied.

Something was strange. As soon as I mentioned Marcus, Ivan began acting oddly.

He had never called me just "Silver."

Is Marcus's condition that bad?

Then Ivan must be worried about him—they were always close, like brothers.

That must be the reason for his strange behavior.

I then heard the doors behind me open. I immediately thought it was Marcus.

But it wasn't him who walked through the door.